STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND COMMUNICATION IN THE PLACENTIA BAY/GRAND BANKS LARGE OCEAN MANAGEMENT AREA by ©Amy Tucker A Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts Department of Geography Memorial University July 2011 St. John's Newfoundland and Labrador Library and Archives Bibliotheque et 1*1 Canada Archives Canada Published Heritage Direction du Branch Patrimoine de I'edition 395 Wellington Street 395, rue Wellington OttawaONK1A0N4 Ottawa ON K1A 0N4 Canada Canada Your file Votre reference ISBN: 978-0-494-81837-4 Our file Notre r6f6rence ISBN: 978-0-494-81837-4 NOTICE: AVIS: The author has granted a non­ L'auteur a accorde une licence non exclusive exclusive license allowing Library and permettant a la Bibliotheque et Archives Archives Canada to reproduce, Canada de reproduire, publier, archiver, publish, archive, preserve, conserve, sauvegarder, conserver, transmettre au public communicate to the public by par telecommunication ou par I'lnternet, preter, telecommunication or on the Internet, distribuer et vendre des theses partout dans le loan, distribute and sell theses monde, a des fins commerciales ou autres, sur worldwide, for commercial or non­ support microforme, papier, electronique et/ou commercial purposes, in microform, autres formats. paper, electronic and/or any other formats. The author retains copyright L'auteur conserve la propriete du droit d'auteur ownership and moral rights in this et des droits moraux qui protege cette these. Ni thesis. Neither the thesis nor la these ni des extraits substantiels de celle-ci substantial extracts from it may be ne doivent etre imprimes ou autrement printed or otherwise reproduced reproduits sans son autorisation. without the author's permission. In compliance with the Canadian Conformement a la loi canadienne sur la Privacy Act some supporting forms protection de la vie privee, quelques may have been removed from this formulaires secondaires ont ete enleves de thesis. cette these. While these forms may be included Bien que ces formulaires aient inclus dans in the document page count, their la pagination, il n'y aura aucun contenu removal does not represent any loss manquant. of content from the thesis. 1*1 Canada ABSTRACT This research examines the nature and extent of stakeholder participation and communication in the Placentia Bay/Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area (PB/GB LOMA) in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The PB/GB LOMA is an integrated management initiative which is being implemented under Canada's Oceans Act. The research has shown that many stakeholders are participating in the PB/GB LOMA process as they see its potential benefits. However, progression is limited by a lack of understanding of its goals and process. The research has also shown that there is a lack of stakeholder buy-in within PB/GB LOMA, which needs to be addressed for the process to move forward successfully. This study also found that communication channels are present for communicating about coastal and ocean issues, and that the communication network is generally strong. However, this network has not often been used to communicate about the PB/GB LOMA specifically. As the process moves forward, it is particularly important that stakeholder group representatives communicate about the LOMA to their groups. It will also become increasingly important that the LOMA be brought to the attention of the public, which at this point is generally unaware of the initiative. 11 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am very grateful to my supervisor, Dr. Ratana Chuenpagdee, for providing such support and guidance throughout this process. Thank-you for always making time when I needed it, and also giving me time and being patient when I needed that too. I am also extremely thankful to my supervisory committee members, Dr. Kelly Vodden and Dr. Reade Davis. You have often provided advice and viewpoints that strengthened my thesis and my experience as a graduate student overall. I would like to express by my appreciation to the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and the International Coastal Network for providing funding for the completion of my research. I would like to sincerely thank staff at Fisheries and Oceans Canada in the Ecosystems Management Division of the Newfoundland and Labrador Region, especially Geoff Coughlan, Sigrid Kuehnemund and Nadine Templeman. Thank-you for answering my many questions, without your support this thesis truly would not be possible. The completion of this thesis depended upon the willingness of PB/GB LOMA Committee members to speak openly with me in their interviews. I am truly grateful to all of the Committee members for providing me with many more insights than I could have imagined or hoped for. I would also like to express my gratitude to the other graduate students at the International Coastal Network and Department of Geography who have shared this experience with me. Discussing your insights, advice and experiences have really helped me through this process. I would also like to thank Steve Bonnell for encouraging me to pursue my Masters Degree. You convinced me that I had the potential to do this, and thankfully you were right. I owe sincere thanks to my family, friends and Matthew Jones. Thank-you from the bottom of my heart for always believing in me, encouraging me, and putting up with me throughout this entire process. I owe the deepest gratitude to my parents, Walter and Jane Tucker. You have given me so much loving support during all of my academic endeavours that thank-you is just not enough. IV TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS iii LIST OF TABLES ix LIST OF FIGURES x ABBREVIATIONS xi LIST OF APPENDICES xiii 1. INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Research rationale 1 1.2 Research aim, questions and objectives 4 1.3 Thesis organization 6 2. LITERATURE REVIEW 9 2.1 Coastal and ocean governance 9 2.2 Integrated Management 14 2.2.1 Definition 14 2.2.2 Canadian initiatives 16 2.2.3 Newfoundland and Labrador initiatives 20 2.3 Public participation 21 2.3.1 Stakeholder identification 21 2.3.2 Typology of public participation 24 2.4 Communication 26 3. PLACENTIA BAY/GRAND BANKS LARGE OCEAN MANAGEMENT AREA AND GOVERNANCE 33 3.1 Location 33 3.2 Bio-physical characteristics and resources 35 3.3 Demographics 37 3.3.1 Population and distribution 37 3.3.2 Employment and income 38 3.4 Multiple demands 39 3.4.1 Fisheries 40 3.4.1.1 Fish harvesting 40 3.4.1.2 Fish processing 41 3.4.2 Aquaculture 42 3.4.3 Oil and gas production, support services and development 44 3.4.4 Marine transportation and infrastructure 46 3.4.5 Shipbuilding and repair 49 3.4.6 Tourism and recreation 49 3.4.7 Land-based activities and their environmental impacts 51 3.4.8 Research and technology 53 3.5 Placentia Bay/Grand Banks Large Ocean Management Area Initiative 54 3.5.1 Legislative basis and government 54 3.5.2 Placentia Bay Grand Banks LOMA Integrated Management Process 55 v 4. METHODS 62 4.1 Mixed method approach 62 4.2 Social network analysis 62 4.2.1 Definition and applications 62 4.2.2 Analysis Techniques 64 4.3 Data collection and analysis 67 4.3.1 Interview schedule 67 4.3.2 Interview administration 70 4.3.3 Data entry and analysis 72 4.3.3.1 Quantitative social network data 72 4.3.3.2 Qualitative interview data 73 5. RESULTS 77 5.1 Stakeholder group involvement in the PB/GB LOMA 77 5.2 Benefits of participating in the PB/GB LOMA initiative 80 5.2.1 Build relationships 80 5.2.2 Voice concerns/protect interests 81 5.2.3 Work toward environmental sustainability and ecosystem health 81 5.2.4 Have an impact upon policy creation 82 5.2.5 Become proactive rather than reactive 82 5.2.6 Address socio-economic issues 83 5.3 Limitations on participation and progress in the PB/GB LOMA initiative 83 5.3.1 Lack of ownership and stakeholder buy-in 84 5.3.2 Need for stronger leadership 85 5.3.3 Inadequate understanding of goals 86 5.3.4 Lack of understanding of process 86 5.3.5 Need for recognition of group interests 88 5.3.6 Lack of long-term thinking and need for immediate results 88 5.3.7 Lack of public awareness and involvement 90 5.3.8 Lack of trust of government commitment 91 5.3.9 Geographical coverage of the PB/GB LOMA 92 5.3.10 Funding/Cost 93 5.3.11 Complications with Ministerial endorsement or sign off 94 5.4 Stakeholder groups not included in the PB/GB LOMA initiative 95 5.4.1 Communities and community based groups 95 5.4.2 Other Provincial Government Departments 96 5.4.3 Other Industry 97 5.4.4 Youth and schools 98 5.5 Communicating about coastal and ocean issues 99 5.5.1 Internal communication 99 5.5.1.1 Methods of communicating with employees 99 5.5.1.2 Methods of communicating with members 101 5.5.1.3 Content of Communication 103 5.5.2 Communication between groups 104 5.5.2.1 Methods of communication 104 vi 5.5.2.2 Content of communication 104 5.5.2.3 Structure of the communication network 105 5.5.3 Communicating with the public 112 5.6 Communicating about the PB/GB LOMA initiative 114 5.6.1 Communicating within groups 114 5.6.1.1 Communicating with employees 114 5.6.1.2 Communicating with members 115 5.6.2 Communicating between groups 116 5.6.3 Communicating with the public 117 5.7 Importance of communication 117 5.7.1 Knowledge sharing 117 5.7.2 Increase awareness of group interests and activities 118 5.7.3 Avoid misunderstandings, resolve conflict and identify opportunities 118 5.7.4 Increase effectiveness and co-ordination 120 5.7.5 Increase buy-in 120 5.8 Communication strategies 121 5.8.1 Develop personal relationships 121 5.8.2 Seek support from within group 121 5.8.3 Seek support from other groups 122 5.8.4 Use clear and concise wording 122 5.8.5 Consider the audience 123 5.8.6 Maintain communication requirements or structures 123 5.8.7 Develop personal traits 124 5.9 Communication limitations 124 5.9.1 Language used 125 5.9.2 Infrequent information sharing 125 5.9.3 Meeting structure 126 5.9.4 Feedback methods 127 5.9.5 Lack of web presence 127 5.9.6 Scheduling 129 5.9.7 Differences or mistrust between sectors 129 5.9.8 Bureaucratic system 130 5.9.9 Representative discontinuity 130 5.10 Additional communication arrangements 131 6.